Handmade in San Francisco

Multimedia artist Saand Choden, whose one-of-a-kind, collar-like button necklaces are now at Timeless Treasures, likes to say that each one is as individual as the woman who wears it. Dressed up or down, worn either with a t-shirt and jeans or a fancy party dress, Saand's necklaces seem to start conversations for everyone who wears them.

Made in San Francisco from mostly vintage buttons that Saand has accumulated over the years, as well as old buttons her friends score at flea markets and estate sales, each necklace becomes what she calls "a textured collage."

She begins a design by choosing a color palette and layout. Then working with laminated copper wire, Saand crochets three different layers of buttons, binds them together and wires on additional buttons by hand. The result is a piece of wearable art that's comfortable, strong and durable. And definitely one-of-a-kind.

The story of how she came up with this clever, colorful creation began back in Iowa, where young Saand entertained herself for hours with the contents of her grandmother's old sewing box. Then years later, while working at the Museum of Crafts and Folk Art in San Francisco, Saand saw how artisans from other cultures use buttons and shells in art designed to be worn. Soon after, she poured out her own collection of vintage buttons and began experimenting with ways to put them together in "a form to wear, not just to look at as an exhibit."

Our first collection of these unique necklaces, priced from $188 to $225, is now at Timeless Treasures.Come and choose one in autumn tones of brown, copper and orange or a multi-color version that will have your friends asking about your classy new necklace.